Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs trial updates: Ventura admits jealousy over Combs’ other relationships

Before the jury returned from lunch, Judge Arun Subramanian made it clear that he expected the defense to finish its cross-examination of Cassie Ventura by the middle of the day Friday.

“You have a day and a half. We should be done by the lunch break” Friday, the judge said.

Subramanian said that Ventura is “not the kind of witness that is fighting” the defense’s questions and suggested that the defense “streamline” its cross-examination.

The cross-examination so far has come in fits and starts, with defense attorney Anna Estevao seeming to have difficulty establishing a consistent rhythm. She has sometimes failed to properly introduce exhibits.

The defense strategy so far today has been to present to the court examples of messages exchanged between Ventura and Combs in an attempt to highlight what the defense contends is Ventura’s willingness, eagerness and agency to participate in “freak off” sex sessions, seeking to bolster Combs’ assertion that he did not commit sex trafficking.

Estevao continued that strategy after the break, showing more messages. In one, from March 18, 2017, Ventura told Combs, “I love our f.o.’s when we both want it,” referring to the “freak offs.”

“I would say loving f.o.’s were just words at that point,” Ventura testified in response.

“Those were words you said to Mr. Combs, correct?” Estevao asked. Ventura affirmed that they were.

In another message to Combs, sent ahead of a “freak off,” Ventura said she was at a sex shop “trying to find something to impress you.”

Seeking to counter Ventura’s previous testimony in which she denied being a willing participant in “freak offs” and their being video recorded, the defense showed another message from 2017.

“S—, I left the iPad. Should I go get?” Ventura’s message to Combs read.

“He would want it for a freak off?” Estevao asked Ventura.

“Yes,” Ventura replied.

“And you told him you would go get it?” Estevao asked.

“Yeah,” Ventura answered.